Streetcar Release: Car Club Has Foot On The Accelerator

Streetcar, the UK’s largest car club, is set to launch a raft of new on-street bays in conjunction with Lambeth Borough Council.

The company, which hires VW Golfs, Polos and Transporter vans on a pay-as-you-go basis, now has over 6,500 members in Lambeth, making the Borough one of the most successful adopters of the scheme. The service currently has 97 vehicles in 72 locations and this is due to grow with 25 more locations set to launch across the borough over the next two months.

Commenting on the company’s success, Brett Akker, Streetcar co-founder, said: “Streetcar’s rise in popularity in Lambeth has surpassed even our most ambitious expectations. It’s clear that both the recession and the rising cost of owning a car are encouraging people to look for money-saving alternatives. With Streetcar members saving an average of £160 a month by joining the scheme, we are seeing significant numbers opting to sell their own vehicles in favour of our service.”

The scheme is simple to use. Members can reserve a car online (www.streetcar.co.uk) or over the phone (0845 644 8475), from just £3.95 per hour, and use smartcards to unlock the vehicle. At the end of the journey the car is returned to its dedicated Streetcar parking bay.

Lambeth-based Heidi Smith, who regularly uses Streetcar, said: “We were delighted when Streetcar came to Lambeth. We love the flexibility it gives us and it’s far more environmentally friendly, and cheaper, than buying a car.”

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Notes to Editor
1. Streetcar is available at the following locations in Lambeth: Balham - Weir Rd VAN, Brixton, Brixton - Acre Ln - VAN, Brixton - Corrance Rd, Brixton - Josephine Ave, Brixton - Talma Road, Brixton Hill – Beechdale, Clapham - Bobbin Close, Clapham - Crescent Lane, Clapham - Gower Cl, Clapham - Hargwyne St, Clapham - Old Town Rd, Clapham - Park Hill, Clapham - Rosethorn Cl, Clapham - St. Gerards Cl, Clapham - The Pavement, Clapham - Turret Grove, Clapham - Union Road, Clapham - Voltaire Rd, Clapham Common, Clapham Common Stn, Clapham North, Clapham Park South, Clapham Park – VAN, Clapham Park-Poynders, Clapham Pk - Ramilles Cl, Clapham Pk-Headlam Rd, Clapham Sth - Atkins Rd, Clapham-The Pavemnt MPV, Herne Hill, Herne Hill South, Kennington, Kennington - Sancroft St, Kennington 2, Kennington Park, Kennington Station, Lambeth - Faygate Rd, Lambeth Bridge, Oval, Oval - South Island Place, Oval – VAN, South Lambeth – VAN, Southbank Centre, St George Wharf, Sth Lambeth – Hartington, Stockwell - Clapham Rd, Stockwell-Sth Lambeth Rd, Streatham - Campbell Cl, Streatham - Pendennis Rd, Streatham Common, Streatham Common – VAN, Streatham East, Streatham Vale, Tooting Bec Common, Tooting Bec Gardens, Tulse Hill, Tulse Hill – South, Tulse Hill Station, Vauxhall - Durham St, Vauxhall - Fentiman Rd, Vauxhall – VAN, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Park – VAN, Wandsworth Rd-Thessaly, Waterloo, Waterloo – POLO, Waterloo – VAN, Waterloo Bridge –MPV, Waterloo Station, West Dulwich-Pymers Md, West Norwood,West Norwood – VAN, West Norwood Sth - VAN

2. According to the RAC’s annual research, the cost of owning a car has rocketed by 19% since last year, with the average family spending £2435 to keep their vehicle on the road. Additional costs such as finance, insurance and depreciation bring this figure to £6133. Car owners typically save over £2,000 per year after joining.

3. Half of car club members choose not to buy (or replace) a car when they join the club. Streetcar has already taken over 20,000 privately-owned cars off the UK’s streets and is aiming to prevent the emission of around 50,000 tonnes of CO2 over the next two years. According to Carplus, in the UK, the average car owner drives 13,438 km per year, emitting 2.246 tonnes of carbon dioxide. After joining a car club, reducing mileage by 50% and using a newer, more efficient car, this figure would be reduced to 0.87 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. http://www.carplus.org.uk/carclubs/car_clubs_carbon_savings.htm

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